If you have a shortage of outlets in your home, surge protectors offer additional space to plug in your devices and electronics. At the same time, it’s important that you know how to use them properly to prevent overloading, which can cause power surges, or overheating, which may lead to fire hazards. Electrical contractors recommend the following advice on using power strips safely and securely. 

Do:

Upgrade to surge protectors.

Not all power strips provide surge protection. Upgrade to products with built-in surge protectors that automatically detect when the current rises above 120-volts. Protectors will block any excess voltage to prevent your electronics and devices from overheating and becoming damaged. 

Make sure they have proper ratings.

Power strips and surge protectors must have ratings from nationally recognized test labs, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). You should see a sticker or marking on the data plate that has the UL acronym. This means the device has been rigorously tested in a controlled environment and meets the minimum performance standards for safety. 

Don’t:

Plug them into each other.

Plugging power strips into one another, or “daisy chaining,” is dangerous because it draws excessive power from a single outlet. This could overload the power strip or wall outlet, causing tripped breakers, overheating, electrical fires, and device damage. Electrical contractors suggest using only one power strip per outlet to maximize safety. 

Exceed load capacity.

120-volt power strips have a maximum load of 12 amps. As such, they cannot support high current items such as space heaters and refrigerators since they require heavier loads to operate.

Determine amperage by dividing watts by volts. For instance, a microwave with a wattage of 600 divided by the power strip’s 120-volt capacity amounts to 5 watts. This will give you an idea of how many items you can safely plug into a single power strip. Any that exceed 12 amps should plug directly into a wall outlet. 

If you need electrical upgrades to support all of your electronics, appliances, and devices, get in touch with Bonham Electric, Inc. They provide electric panel upgrades and electrical wiring installations to homes and businesses throughout Dayton, OH. Call (937) 233-7662 anytime you have an electrical emergency, and visit the website to learn more about how these electrical contractors can keep your property safely powered.